“He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.”
– Psalm 113:9

For many years I read Psalm 113:9 as a promise to be taken literally, and I waited on the Lord to fill my home with more children. My daughter wanted a little half-brother or -sister, too!

However, over the last 10 years or so, this Word has served to alternately confuse, anger, and depress me. To my shame, no matter how much I remembered how old Sarah was when the Lord blessed her with a child, I had a hard time believing he would bless me likewise.

I scorned the Lord in my heart. “Yeah right. “

I was drawn to this section of the Psalms again recently, and one day, like a flashing light of wisdom, the Lord gave me a new revelation on this ponderous verse.

While I was getting settled into a newly built home in my charming new hometown, God was working behind the scenes, readying a future church home for me, and shaping me for my new church home.

As I reluctantly gave up on the promise of giving birth again, and instead started praying to understand God’s will for my life, He was preparing a place for me. A place in the midst of his children. And He was preparing me to recognize–and accept— that place.

Today when I read Psalm 113 again, I do praise the Lord. He has fulfilled his promise. Just not in the way I thought I wanted, or even expected.

What? Me? Teach? Children? Yeah Right. Or so I use to think. Until I stepped out of my comfort zone and answered His call.

Four years ago, God settled this barren woman in her home at First Baptist as the happy “mother” (teacher, leader, mentor, friend) of many children.

And I couldn’t be happier.

Praise the Lord. He is always faithful – and often in unexpected and delightful ways.

“God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.” Psalm 18:24 (Msg)